Differential pressure loaded control valve



Feb. 2, 1943. w R. KING 2,309,843

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE EOADED CONTROL VALVE I Filed June 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 2, 1943. w KI 2,309,848

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE LOADED CONTROL VALVE Filed Jun 5, 1957 Z-Sheets-{Sheei 2 Patented Feb. 2, 1 943 OFFICE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE LOADE CONTROL VALVE William R. King, -Mineola, Tex.

Application June 5, 1937, Serial No. 14.6,558,

Claims.

The invention relates to a pilot loaded control valve wherein the pilot is controlled by the downstream pressure of the control valve.

In the control of fluid pressure in pipe lines, for instance, such as gas transmission lines, it is necessary to provide a control valve at a'pointin the line which is sometimes quite distant from the point of consumption. In view of the fact that the consumption is more or less fluctuating and it is desirable to maintaina substantially constant pressure at the point of consumption, it is necessary that the control valve be quite accurately operated as a function of the rate of flow of the gas. It must be borne in mind, however, that there is a certain drop in pressure between the control valve and the point of consumption due to friction loss in the line depending upon the length and diameter of the pipe line and the density and pressure of the gas or other fluid, so that the valve can not operate wholly upon variation in pressure due to the rate of flow but must compensate also for the drop in pressure due to this friction loss and at the same timeprevent building up of excessive pressure when the rate of consumption is reduced and there is a proportionate decrease in the fricpressure of the main valve.

Another object of the invention is to regulate the operation of a main valve by means of a pilot valve loaded in accordance with predetermined constant pressure which is supplemented by the variation of pressuredue to the rate of flow of the fluid and which pilot. valve is in turn controlled by the variation in the downstream pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loading valve for control valves, which loading valve is in turn loaded from two sources, one of which operates as a function of the flow of fluid.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in-connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a main valve which is operated in accordance with the invention by a pilot valve which is in turn controlled by the downstream pressure of the main valve.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of another form of the invention wherein a pilot loading valve is provided, which valve is controlled in accordance with the fluctuation of the downstream pressure and is loaded in accordance with a drop across an orifice plate.

The Fig. 1 form of the invention relates to the general subject matter of my prior copending application Serial No. 735,589, filed July 17, 1934, for a Regulator valve, while Fig. 2 relates to the same general subject matter'as that disclosed in my prior copending application Serial No. 89,004, filed July 6, 1936, for a' Regulator valve which has matured into Patent No. 2,182,873, .granted December 12, 1939.

- There are two applications of the invention illustrated. Fig. 1 shows it applied to a constant pressure regulator and Fig. 2 shows it applied to a type of regulator which operates in part due to a fluctuation of the flow of fluid.

In Fig. 1 a. pipe line is indicated generally at 2, the high pressure side 3 and the low pressure side a being joined by a main valve structure 5. The valve members 6 and l have been provided to close the openings 8 and 9, respectively, where the fluid passes through the main valve. It will be noted that the valve members 6 and l are upwardly closing valve members and movement is imparted to them by the valve stem it.

In order to control the movement of the valve stemia a bonnet or housing H has been provided, which is separated into the lower chamber i2 and upper chamber l3'by means of a diaphragm it. This diaphragm issuitably held in place by the connecting bolts it which clamp the top and bottom of the bonnet together.

Disposed inside of the chamber I2 is a coil spring H which presses againstthe plate ill and normally tends to raise the diaphragm. it as best seen in Fig. l. The adjusting nuts it may be moved along the stem to in order to vary the pressure which is applied to the diaphragm it. The pressure of this spring ll normally tends to hold the valves in closed position and prevent any flow from the high pressure to the low pressure side of the valve.

In order to equalize the pressure in the chamber It on the low pressure side of the valve an equalizing pipe 2| connects to they low pressure pipe 4 and into the bonnet l I so that the pressure in the chamber M will vary in accordance with the fluctuation of pressure on. the low pressure side of the valve and there will never be any excessive pressure trapped beneath the diaphragm I4 which would interfere with its operation. In other words, the diaphragm is floating with a pressure beneath it which varies to a predetermined extent with the variation in the down-stream pressure.

In order to effect operation of the valve and to provide power by which it may be opened, a highpressure take-off line 33 connects to the high pressure pipe 3 and leads into a pilot or loading valve 3|. The valve member is indicated at 32 and is controlled by a valve stem 33 which is normally urged to open position by the con-- stant pressure of a spring 34 hearing against a plate 35which is fixed on the stem 33.

The stem 33 projects through a partition 33 and bears against the diaphragm 3,1, which is free to move within a chamber 33 except for the pressure which is applied thereto through the conduit 33. This conduit'in turn connects to the low pressure pipe 4-the same as the conduit 2|. It will be observed that any increase in pressure in the low pressure pipe 4 tends to increase the pressure in the chamber l2 and close the main valve and also tends to increase the pressure in the chamber 35 and close the pilot valve. on the other hand, any reduction in pressure on the downstream side of the valve reduces both of these pressures and allows the high pressure to flow through thepilot valve 3| and into the conduit 43. This conduit is in turn connected at 4i so that it leads into the chamber l3 above the diaphragm l4 and any variation in pressure serves to control the movement of the main valve. An increase in pressure tends to open the valve and a decrease in pressure allows the spring I! to act against the diaphragm and move it to closed position.

In order that there will be no build-up of pressure in the chamber l3 from its loading valve a bypass line 43 has been provided which is controlled by a choke 44 and connects to the pipe 2i so that it may bleed back into the downstream side of the main valve. The choke 44 is adjustable by means of the handle 45. With this arrangement it seems clear that when there is a reduction in pressure on the downstream side of the pipe line there will be a corresponding reduction in the tendency of the main valve to remain closed and a corresponding tendency for the pilot valve to open and increase the pressure,

tending to open the main valve. when the main valve opens and the downstream pressure increases, however, then the tendency of the main valve to close is increased and the tendency of the pilot valve to close is also increased. After .thepilot valve closes. the increase in pressure which has been applied to the main valve tending to open it gradually bleeds out of the chamber l3 through the choke 44 sothat the main valve will gradually close. By construction a. valve which will operate with the least amount of variation in the downstream pressure has been provided due to the control of the pilot valve as a function of the fluctuation in pressure on the downstream side of the valve. In other words the pilot controls the flow of power for operation of the main valve and the control of the'pilot valve is eflected through the variation -rinthe giownstream pressure so that the entire mechanism; is very sensitive and the variation in downstream pressure can be very slight because it is used to control the power instead of valve.

Fig. .2 shows another form of the inventio N where the pipe line, the low and high pressure pipes, as well as the valve construction, and the stem and operating diaphragm, are the same as 55. The cap 5| with the diaphragm 55 then forms the top chamber 53. I

The diaphragm 55 serves to move the plate 51, which is amzxed to the stem 53. The stem 53 projects through the cap 5| and has affixed thereto an adjustable seat ring 53 upon which the spring 33 abuts. This spring serves to allow a predetermined amountof movement of the diaphragm 55 before there is any movement imparted to the sleeve 3| against which the upper end of the spring is disposed.

It .will be noted that the chambers 54 and 53 are of substantial size so that they serve with the choke .39 as surge chambers to delay the action of applying the variation in the differential pressure across the orifice plate 93. Thisoperation prevents the pilot valve from reloadin or reunloading .itself and effects a lag in the opening and closing of the main valve.

Afiixed to the sleeve 3| is a lever arm 33 which is pivoted at 34 in the bracket 55. A plurality of openings 33 in the bracket permit adjustment of the fulcrum point for this lever 33. A stop 32 is provided for the lever Another somewhat fixed to the other end of the lever 63 and includes the housing 33 which confines a spring 53. This spring abuts against an adJustable plug 13 in the top of the sleeve and against a washer or ring II in the lower'end of the housing, which- The reducer valve I3 of Fig. 2 is of special construction .in order to avoid friction losses and inaccuracy. of operation due to friction. This is accomplished by having the diaphragms l4 and 33 mounted in the valve 13 so that they support a bridge type valve member 15. Movement of this valve member 15 flexes the diaphragms l4 and 33 and avoids the provision of a packer or stufllng box about the stem 12. The spring 13 normally urges I the valve member downwardly or to open position.

A coil spring 3| beneath this diaphragm 33 normally tends to support the weight of the diaphragms. A chamber 32 beneath the diaphragm 33, however, is connected with a. fluid pressure conduit 33, so that the pressure may be intro duced below the diaphragm to effect the control of the valve I5. 4

While pressure from the high pressure line 3 is introduced into the valve" by means of the pipe 34, which is controlled by a valve 35, downwardmovement of the valve member 15 opens isimilar device 61 is afthe inlet passage 86 of this valve I3 and allows high pressure to be introduced into the valve chamber 81. A connection 88 leads into the valve chamber I3 above the operating diaphragm I4 so that opening of this valve I3 introduces pressure above the diaphragm I4, which tends to open the main valves 6 and 'I.

In order to admit the control pressure to the diaphragm 80 in accordance with the pressure on the under side of the diaphragms I4 the conduit 83 is connected into the chamber I2 beneath the diaphragm I I. Thus the pressure from the low pressure pipe 4 is available through the pipes 95 and 93, chamber 56, passages I03, chamber I2 and pipe 93, under the diaphragm 80. It will be seen that the high pressure is confirmed by the diaphragms I4 and 80 so that it will be balanced on one diaphragm against the other and will thus have no effect whatever upon the operation of the valve I3. This arrangement also avoids the use of stuffing boxes or metallic guides for the parts. I

In order that the entire mechanism will operate in accordance with the variation in the rate of flow, and the downstream pressure beyond the rate of new may be so manipulated that the control'of the power therefrom can be. delayed so as to obtain a practical and satisfactory operation of the mechanism.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a main valve, fluid pressure means to operate said valve, a pilot-loading valve for said means, and additional means to control said pilot loading valve in accordance with the variation of the downstream pressure of said main valve, and loading means for said pilot valve operable as a function of the volume of fluid flow through the main valve.

2. A power attachment comprising a housing, a diaphragm therein, a stem on said diaphragm projecting from said housing, a spring about said stem and supported thereby, lever means supported on said spring, a pivot for said means, a

second spring supporting the other end of said lever means, a member movable by said second spring as variation in pressure in said housing moves said diaphragm, said springs allowing a I predetermined movement of said diaphragm main valves 6 and I the pressure on the various I diaphragms will be equalized and used as a source of power for operating the device. To this end the pipe 90 is connected to the low pressure line 4 and is controlled by a valve 9|. This pipe 90 leads to the pipe 92 so that pressure is introduced into the chamber 56. A branch 93 from the pipe 92 leads into the top chamber 56, this passage being controlled by a valve 94. A second conduit 95 also leads from the low pressure line I and joins the pipe'93 at the point 96. The valve 91 controls this line as well. These valves 85, SI, 9t and 9I are merely used, however, when the mechanism is to be placed in or out of service.

It will be noted that there is an orifice plate 98 in the pipe Ii between the pipes" 99 and 95 so that the pressure in these pipes will be the difierential pressure across .the orifice plate due to the rate of flow of the gas or fluid. In order to make this difierential pressure further ad justable a needle valve or choke has been provided in the pipe 90, this choke being adjustable by the handle I 00, and the indicator plate IBI is arranged to indicate the adjustment of this needle valve.

The difierential pressure across the plate 98 may be applied to the different diaphragms by arrangement of passages I03 provided in the cap 5I, the body 50, and the bonnet II. passage leads directly from the chamber 56 and directly into the chamber I2 so that the pressure in these two chambers will be the same. A choke IIJI I, however, is provided into the chamber I3, so as to delay any variation in pressure in this chamber. This is desirable because the high pressure line 89 leads directly into this chamber I3. An adjustable handle I05 is provided on the bonnet II in order to control the movement of before movement is imparted to said member so as to obtain a lag in the movement of said member relative to the movement of said dia-- phragm, and a regulator valve supported between two spaced diaphragms to be actuated by said member.

3, A flow line for gaseous fluids, a main valve therein, a diaphragm to operate said valve, an orifice plate on the low side of said valve, a source of fluid power to operate said diaphragm, valve means to admit said fluid power to said diaphragm, and means to control said valve means as a function of both the volume of flow through said orifice plate and of said downstream pressure beyond the main valve.

4. A pilot valve of the character described comprising a housing, a pair of spaced diaphragms therein to form a closed chamber and avoid friction losses upon movement of said diaphragms, a valve member connecting said diaphragms, spring means to apply a constant load to said diaphragms tending to open said valve, additional spring-means movable to augment said first spring, and means to apply fluid pressure to said diaphragms tending to close said valve in opposition to said springs.

5. A pilot valve of the character described comprising a. housing, a pair of spaced diaphragms therein to form a closed chamber and avoid friction losses upon movement of said diaphragms, a valve member carried thereby, spring means to apply a constant load to said diaphragms tending to open said valve, additional spring'means movable to augment said first spring, means to apply fluid pressure to said diaphragms tending to close said valve in opposition to said springs, and means to actuate said additional spring means as a function of the volume of flow of fluid being controlled by said pilot valve.

6. A pilot valve for main valves of the character described comprising a housing, a pair of spaced diaphragms therein, a valve member connecting said diaphragms, spring means to apply a constant load to said diaphragms tending to open said valve, additional spring means movable to augment said first spring, means to apply fluid pressure to said diaphragms tending to close said valve in opposition to said springs, and means to vary the opposing fluid pressure applied as a function of the pressure onthe low pressure side of said main valve.

tion of the volume of flow of fluid being controlled by said pilot valve, and'means to vary' the opposing-fluid pressure applied as a function of the pressure on the low pressure side of said main valve.

8. A valve construction and control therefor including a valve member, a valve stem,'a diaphragm to move said stem, a housing about said diaphragm, means to introduce a pressure fluid into said housing against said diaphragm to open said valve, means for such pressure fluid to gradually leak from said housing, means to apply the down stream pressure to said housing on the other side of said diaphragm, and additional means to resist the entrance of the-pressure fluid by applying the downstream pressure to said flrst means, and still additional means to supplement the loading of 'said flrst means spaced diaphragms.

in accordance with the volume of flow through 7 apply the down stream pressure to said housing on the other side of said diaphragm, and additional means to resist the entrance oi the pressure fluid by applying the downstream pressure to said first means, said flrst means including a pilot valve member disposed between a pair of 10. A diaphragm operated main valve, a pilot valve to operate said diaphragm, means to connect said pilot valve to the downstream side oi the main valve to effect the operation of said pilot valve; means to load said pilot valve to maintain a minimum pressure on the downstream side of said main valve, and additional means to load said pilot valve in accordance with the volume of flow through said main valve,

and means to adjust the ratio of application ofthe force of said latter means.

WILLIAM R. KING. 

